LeBron James

LeBron reportedly won't recruit Love back to Cavaliers

Published Jun. 25, 2015 11:43 a.m. ET

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Kevin Love reportedly will opt out of the final year of his deal and teams are lining up to recruit him.

But one person who won't be making a pitch to the versatile big man is his former Cleveland Cavaliers running mate LeBron James, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  

The Cavaliers traded last year's No. 1 pick -- Andrew Wiggins -- along with former top pick Anthony Bennett in a three-team trade to land Love. But it appeared at times last season that James and Love weren't on the same page.

Many believed this comment was directed at Love, who in the preseason said something very similar.

"I'm comfortable and just not trying to, I guess, fit in so much," Love said. "I had a talk with the guys on the plane ride over [to Brazil] and also at different practices off the floor and they told me to fit out, just be myself."

The Cavaliers made it to the NBA Finals in large part without Love, who suffered a dislocated shoulder during Cleveland's first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics. The Cavs could offer Love, who reportedly will pass up on $16.7 million next season, a five-year deal worth more than $100 million.

But if Love signs a long-term deal with Cleveland, it could hurt the team's chances of re-signing power forward Tristan Thompson, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. Thompson showed his defensive prowess in the playoffs, something critics say Love lacks.  

Love, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery, reportedly will be pursued by a number of teams, including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers

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LeBron James

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